West Vincent repeals policy of posting documents to website

WEST VINCENT — The Board of Supervisors unanimously repealed its policy of publishing official documents to the township’s website, saying that the policy is “unnecessary” and has had adverse effects.

The decision came during the supervisors’ meeting on Monday, coupled with the announcement that the policy would be reduced to an informal guideline.

The policy to post certain township documents, including meeting agendas, minutes, announcements and policies, was “created as a courtesy to some residents,” said Supervisor Clare Quinn.

According to Quinn, the decision to repeal the policy stemmed from an overwhelming number of requests for additional documents.

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“It’s not helping,” said Quinn. “I don’t think we should repeal our practices, I think we should still endeavor to do what the policy says we should do. It adds to the confusion, I don’t think it helps.”

According to Supervisor David Brown, the township will continue to post significant files on the website, including documents that deal with development, legal and controversial issues.

Brown said one of the issues with the policy was that there was difficulty posting documents on the website within a week of their original publication, and that reducing the policy to a guideline would help resolve the matter.

“We’ll do our best to do it,” said Brown. “But it’s not something we’ll be beat up on because a document didn’t make it onto the website. I think the last straw was about two meetings ago there was one individual who was asking for really minor things that were not on the website. (The website) has always been a good-faith effort by the township government to communicate with the citizens, and it has never been something to be used as an excuse for finger-pointing.”